On the final day of the Department of Interior’s public comment period regarding the fate of the Bears Ears National Monument, people of faith made their support for the Monument widely known. Perspectives in the public comments emphasized the spiritual value of the Bears Ears National Monument, as well as a moral imperative to listen to tribal leadership -- especially the Bears Ears Commission. The five tribes that were instrumental in establishing the Bears Ears National Monument consider many areas within the Monument to be sacred.

More than 100 Christians with Indigenous heritage, hailing from 27 states and the District of Columbia, warned of the danger of reducing or rescinding the protections monument status gives the Bears Ears region. In their letter, they explained: “Most Christians in the United States would consider the notion absurd and abhorrent that any individual, government or a corporation could trample, shoot at, mine, or drill our graveyards, religious sanctuaries, or sacred artworks. Yet, as Indigenous people, this is a threat we know all too well. We take this threat very seriously.”

The Reverend Dr. Bradley Hauff, Missioner for Indigenous Ministries of The Episcopal Church, explained why he signed the letter: “Indigenous people have a relationship with the land that is sacred and central to our way of life. Our culture, spirituality, identity, survival, and understanding of life is centered in the Earth and the Cosmos. If the land is desecrated, so are we."

Some of the letter’s signers plan to travel to Washington, DC next week to discuss their point of view with decision-makers on the Bears Ears National Monument. Many of the decision-makers who will determine the fate of the Bears Ears National Monument practice Christianity, and the advocates are hopeful their moral appeal can make a difference.

Another letter signed by 37 religious organizations and denominations noted that “Although Secretary Zinke visited Utah for several days, he spent little more than an hour with official tribal leaders in a room. Furthermore, the official comment period was only 15 days, and only online. Without public hearings, people who primarily communicate through the oral tradition are left out.”

The religious organizations’ letter went on to encourage Secretary Zinke to “extend the comment period, host public stakeholder hearings, spend much more significant time meeting with the Bears Ears Commission on site, and to follow the Commission's original recommendation to uphold the existing boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument.”

QUOTE SHEET: A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY COMMENTS ON BEARS EARS NATIONAL MONUMENT

We, as Armenians, stand with those who are oppressed and persecuted. Given our history, we understand. Secretary Zinke, given American history and what we have done to the Indigenous Peoples, we have an obligation to remember, honor, and repent. Please uphold and preserve the Bears Ears National Monument.~ Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Armenian Church Representative to Creation Justice Ministries, Wisconsin

“As a person of the cloth I often lament how much we are losing a sense of the sacred in our world. At times it feels that everything is being reduced to dollars and cents and that God is merely an afterthought. It is my work to help people to connect with God and commit to being in community with their fellow humans. It is for this reason that I stand in solidarity with my indigenous brothers and sisters. They are trying to protect something sacred, a place where they feel the presence of the creator. If the government wanted to use our church for commercial purposes I would take umbrage with that, so I have to defend the rights of other religious groups to protect those places where they commune with God.

In March, I was in Germany celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther's nailing of the 95 Theses. It was great to honor that tradition but also sad to see how few Germans are people of faith. In this time where faith is dwindling in so many places we must protect religious expression. I hope you will stand with the indigenous faith communities against the incursion of commercial interests that seek to defile the sacred for financial profit.”~ Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Massachusetts

“Open spaces are essential to a healthy society, and the deep spirituality for all persons, no matter their religious affiliation, is healing and revitalizing. Bears Ears is one of those spaces that needs to be protected, cared for by the original inhabitants, and respected by everyone. The earth is not a 'big box store' from which we can take, take and take. It is a living entity providing us with everything we need, but it does not exist to satisfy greed. Protect ALL our national monuments, our public lands, and expand them for protection and joyful living. This is critical. Life depends on you. Protect life.”~Rev. Linda Grenfell, Maine

“I have lived among the monuments in my years in the Southwest. I have prayed under the shade of the giant sequoias and on ridge tops in national parks. When I seek God in creation I always feel him, experience him in the deep stillness of these protected lands. If you do not continue to protect them God's good creation will be greatly diminished...as will be our own spiritual health.”~Rev. Constance McIntosh, Louisiana

“As a Christian, my commitment to Stewardship of the earth is second nature to me as is my commitment to all peoples, most especially the Native American peoples of the USA from whom our ancestors stole their land. Please don't rescind this promise of protection of their sacred lands as we have done so many times in the past. We should work together with these Native American peoples to protect their sacred sites. The Native American peoples' knowledge about our relationship to the earth runs far deeper than we know. Let's listen to them, learn from them and leave their sacred lands alone!”~Ms. Charlotte Disher, Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator, North Carolina

I was born and raised in northern California, until I was nine years old, lived on the Navajo Reservation for two years than moved to Denver, Colorado. My Navajo clans are Tó’aheedliinii (Water-Flows-Together) and Kinyaa’32nii and (Towering House People). I have been happily married to Susie Silversmith, Navajo clans, Tsi’naajínii (BlackStreaked-Wood People) and Honágháahnii (One-Walks-Around), since 1978 and we begat two sons, Darrick and Jerald. Jerald married to Candice, and they begat three delightful grand- daughters. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic since 1985. I have been a Christian since 1985 and elder of the Denver Christian Indian Center since 1995. Issuance of Christian Reformed Church’s Classical License to Exhort, March 2015. I am retired from Lockheed Martin/IBM, after 30 years. I graduated High School at Institute of American Indian Arts, 1974, Santa Fe, NM. I also was a radio co-host at alterNativeVoices, KUVO, 89.3 FM, 2011-2013.

Loni Romo

Loni is Pyramid Lake Paiute, Tohono O’odham, and Pima. She recently graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. In the fall, she will attend Graduate school for Counseling and Education Psychology. She currently works as a Student Graduation Advocate for high school Native American Students in Washoe County School District in Nevada. Proud member of Saint Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church. Loni has two daughters that love to learn and practice their traditional teachings from their elders of their Tribe.

Jacqeline Davis-Cawelti

My name is Jacqueline Davis-Cawelti. I am a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. I have worked with our Tribal Government for 30+ years with concern of our Tribal Housing, Domestic Violence and Cultural Programs. I reside on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation in Nixon, Nevada with my husband and have raised 5 children and have 7 grandchildren. I am a member of Saint Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church since birth and have held the position of Jr. Warden, I have lead the Youth Group and also have the pleasure of teaching Sunday school.

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​Judith Wellington

Judith is Akilmel O’odham and Dakota (Sioux). Most of her work has been in ministry with Native peoples and communities in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. She currently works for the Synod of the Southwest as a part-time consultant for Native American Ministries. Her work has led her to form relationships across tribal, spiritual, and regional boundaries in support of indigenous persons and communities.